FIRST BIRTHDAY EVE

In celebration of Madelyn’s birthday eve (I cannot even believe it has been a year), I thought I would reflect back to the day she decided to say “Hello World!”

I started my maternity leave two days early, which in the end was the right choice. Always trust your instincts mamas. I remember I woke up that morning, Wednesday, May 15th thinking “what should I do on my first day of leave?” I had a bowl of cereal with extra fruit, a craving I had most of my pregnancy, took both my pups for a walk around the neighborhood then I knew if there was anything I was going to do before I went into labor would be to get a mani and pedi. That's about the only exciting thing I did that day, just rested as much as I could because as my parents said after she arrived I wouldn't have that choice anymore.

Fast forward to that night around 11:30PM, I was laying on the couch with the hubs and felt a painful jab. I had been having Braxton Hicks contractions and knew what those felt like but this one was different. I mention something about it to Vy but didn't feel another one so didn't think much of it. Went to bed and woke up around 3:30AM feeling those same painful jabs except this time they were coming every 10 to 15 minutes. I laid in bed reading up on Google trying to confirm it I was really in labor, yep I did googled if I was in labor. My OB had asked me several times if I wanted to be induced as most likely she would not be on call to deliver me but I choose to go into labor naturally if possibly. I had asked her several times how would I know if I was going into labor and her reply would always "oh trust me you'll know." I went to the bathroom and realize that my mucus plug had released (TMI, I know) which confirmed to me I really was in labor and these really were contractions. I woke Vy up and told him that I think Madelyn is coming today. It was a surreal moment, thinking that these next few hours would be the last of just the two of us but filled with emotion and excitement knowing that I would be meeting my little one soon. I called the on-call nurse and she stated that the contractions should be about 5 minutes apart before going to the hospital. She recommended to get lots of rest if I could, take a shower and to eat. So I took a shower first, finished packing the hospital bag and then waited. My contractions were still coming 10-15 minutes apart so I tried to rest between each one. Realizing quickly that I couldn't sleep because the pain was too much for me, I thought I should eat something. I had half a piece of toast before running to the bathroom to see it again. Vy and I both agreed that I should contact the nurse again. Informing her that I couldn't keep any food down, the contractions were painful enough that I would stop what I was doing to tend to them and my contractions still being 10-15 minutes apart she decided that it be best if I went into the office to have the OB check me. She provided a warning that if I wasn't dilated enough they could send me back home to wait. We packed the car at about 10AM and headed to the OB. Let me tell you, contractions are no joke and there were moments when I thought maybe I should of planned to be induced because at least then I would already be at the hospital and they could give me an epidural for the pain. I am the only one out of my friends to not be induced and to go into labor naturally so to say I had no idea how to prepare for this would be an understatement.

We arrived at the OB where he checked me informing us that I was 4 cm dilated and he would recommend for us to head to the hospital. Here we go, it's really happening, we are going to meet our sweet baby girl. I began to cry, scared for the unknown of how labor happens but filled with joy that she no longer would be a black and white image that hangs on our fridge. Vy comforted me stating there was nothing to be scared of, that I would be in the best hospital (in the South they are known as the “baby factory”) and I would be so happy when I got to finally hold Madelyn. He was right.

We drove right over the bridge to the hospital where we checked in, once in the room I feel like everything happened so fast that it was kind of a blur. Reminded me of our wedding day, when you’re so excited for the day to finally come but then it all over before you know it. The first request to the nurse was for an epidural, there was no way I was going to be relaxing with these sharp pains. Our parents and family arrived taking turns coming in and out of the room to chat and sit. The on-call doctor, Dr. Robins, determined that we would be there for awhile (even drawing us a chart on the white board), hoping that I would be dilating 1 cm every hour which made Vy and I think that we wouldn’t have Madelyn till early the next morning. Boy were we wrong, around 7PM the nurse shifts were changing and before she left she asked if I was feeling any pressure when I replied yes, she decided to check me. Her response was if I have the urge to push…don’t,  she said she could feel/see Madelyn’s head and she has a lot of hair. My doctor had just gone in for a c-section and would be over right in after. My delivery with Madelyn was so different then I expected, in a good way. It was just Vy, Dr. Robins and the nurse, there was light humor conversation with a few pushes. The three pushes with contractions and one without then here was our little Madelyn Lee gracing the world. It was such a beautiful moment and one I will forever remember, the moment you realize that you could love so deep for another human being.

Welcome to the World Madelyn Lee | May 16th @ 8PM | 5lbs 12 oz | 18in   

As I laid Madelyn in her crib tonight, my eyes fill with tears…I cannot believe how quickly a year has gone by but filled with joy and excitement for all that is to come. She will forever be my baby girl and I will hold on tight to every cherished moment with her and my little family of three. 

“Let her sleep…for when she wakes, she will be ONE!”